6:30 LRN Newscast August 3

The state Department of Health releases a list of all the accepted medical exemptions from the abortion ban law. However, some physicians feel the list falls short of the mark. Tulane University Medical School Dr. Cecilia Gambala says there are concerns about what is not on that list…:
Cut 13 (10) “…particular situations.”
Also, two doctors need to agree on a medical exemption for an abortion to be performed.

Incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from running for another term in office this fall. A Caddo judge ruled Perkins violated election law by giving an incorrect address on paperwork while qualifying for the race. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford …:
Cut 7 (10) “…in Shreveport for years.”
Perkins is appealing the judge’s ruling.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission launches Tech Ready Louisiana a free online learning platform to help thousands of people learn a new skill or even receive certification through online courses. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to L-W-C, Louisianans will have free access to over five-thousand courses and learners can earn a certificate in three to six months.

AM LRN Newscall August 2

Consider this to be one of the problems you might not have known needed fixing: Noodling was an unrecognized sport in Louisiana. Marsanne Golsby explains…:

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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Incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from the fall election. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission launches a new online learning platform to help you learn a new skill or even receive a certification in one. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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File this one under “things you didn’t know needed fixing”. A new law that took effect Monday says people can’t be arrested for noodling, Which is grabbing catfish with your hands. The bill was authored in the Legislature by Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland:

Cut 4 (11)  “…hand grabbing.”

McFarland says yanking catfish from their watery beds is all the rage.

Cut 5 (07) “…and social media.”

McFarland says no one has actually been arrested for noodling, but he wanted to make sure. He says if you haven’t tried noodling, you’re missing out.

Cut 6 (10)  “…out of that hole.”

The law adds noodling to legally accepted ways of taking fish.

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Incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from running for another term in office this fall. A Caddo judge ruled Perkins violated election law by giving an incorrect address on paperwork while qualifying for the race. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says this could change the whole dynamic of the Shreveport mayoral election…:

Cut 7 (10) “…in Shreveport for years.”

According to KTBS TV, Perkins listed his address as a family property near the LSU-Shreveport campus; not the downtown condo where he actually lives. Alford says Mayor Perkins’ residency has been called into question before; four years ago by Shreveport state Senator Greg Tarver…:

Cut 8 (08)  “…with this decision.”

Perkins says the address was an error, caused by his being distracted by news media at qualifying. He will almost certainly appeal the local judge’s ruling, so the story is far from over. Alford says there have been numerous residency challenges in political races before, but few successfully disqualify a candidate. He says this is a big political story…:

Cut 9 (11)  “…democrats in the race.”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission launches its “Tech Ready Louisiana” program, which is a free online learning platform for residents. LWC Secretary Ava Cates says it’s a way to get certified and/or improve your work skills at your own pace.

Cut 10 (10) “…as well.”

Cates says they are using one of the world’s largest online learning platforms, Coursera (Coe-sare-uh). You just need to set up a Hire account and you don’t even have to be looking for employment to take courses.

Cut  11 (10)  “…click on that.” 

Even if you aren’t looking to change careers Cates says “Tech Ready Louisiana” is a way to improve your skills, all for free. She says it’s part of the state’s larger broadband initiative.

Cut 12 (08) “…that network.” 

In addition to online courses, Cates says there are 60 American Job Centers in the state where you can schedule an appointment to take courses if you don’t have access to reliable internet.

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In an effort to clarify things, the state Department of Health releases a list of all the accepted medical exemptions from the abortion ban law. However, some physicians feel the list falls short of the mark. Tulane University Medical School Dr. Cecilia Gambala says there are concerns about what is not on that list…:

Cut 13 (10) “…particular situations.”

Gambala says the law does allow for abortions under situations NOT listed within the language of the law, but it requires two agreeing doctors to sign off on the procedure…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…is futile.”

Dr. Gambala is concerned the law does not allow for terminating a pregnancy in the case of a 16-week premature eruption of membranes, which is not unusual and often results in stillbirth. She says concerns with or deficiencies in the abortion law can be corrected by amending the law in the next legislative session…:

Cut 15 (03)  “…happy to testify.”

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The LSU Tigers report for preseason camp today. Expectations are not high around the league as the Tigers are picked to finish fifth in the SEC West, but Coach Brian Kelly says their offseason conditioning program has the team ready to play in Atlanta for a championship

Cut 16 (20)  “….in December.”

Figuring out a starting quarterback is priority number one. Kelly explains how he’ll set up the competition between Myles Brennan, Jayden Daniels, Garrett Nussmeier, and freshman Walker Howard…

Cut 17 (17) “…starting quarterback” 

The offensive line is the biggest question mark, but Kelly feels better about the position group than he did in the spring…

cut  18 (17) “   offensive line”

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U-L Lafayette athletics director Doctor Bryan Maggard has received a one-year contract extension which means Maggard is now under contract through June 2027. Maggard was hired in 2017 and last season the Cajuns won a Sun Belt title in football, baseball, and softball, the only program in the country to win all three, and a bowl game….

 cut 19 (20) _“…community service” 

Maggard says the school also raised more than 30-million dollars, the school’s most successful year in fundraising. He says getting Cajun Field renovated is a priority and there’s plenty of other projects on the drawing boards…

Cut 20 (24) “ …volleyball team” 

5:30 LRN Newscast Aug 2

After numerous property insurers exited the state, leaving tens of thousands without coverage, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon proposes an incentive fund to attract new ones. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”  

State Police report one fatality after a small plane crashed today ON an I-49 off-ramp near Cheneyville. The plane was dusting crops nearby and only the pilot was aboard. A witness reportedly saw seeing smoke before the plane crashed. The NTSB is investigating the crash.

Louisiana is receiving 134 million dollars in federal money to offset the effects of climate change and reduce chronic flooding. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there are a large number of bridges and roads that stand to be elevated and can benefit for this latest allotment from the federal government…

Cut 5  (11) “…rain”

The next time you’re in the Dome watching the Saints, thanks to a new partnership with Waitr, soon to be known as ASAP, you won’t have to stand in line to order concessions. Dean Turcol says there are two ways to access the ASAP app, you can either use the QR codes on the concourse that will take you to the app to order your concessions…

Cut 10 (10) “…it’s done.” 

4:30 LRN Newscast August 2

Incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from running for another term in office this fall. A Caddo judge ruled Perkins violated election law by giving an incorrect address on paperwork while qualifying for the race; listing a family property near LSUS rather than his downtown condo. Perkins says it was an error. He will most likely appeal. Meanwhile 9 other mayoral candidates remain in the race.

Louisiana is receiving federal help to fight flooding caused by climate change, and it’s FIVE TIMES the amount the state is currently spending per year. More from Marsanne Golsby…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Golsby.”

 

A Cheneyville area crop dusting pilot died today in a crash on I-49 in Rapides Parish. State Police confirm the unidentified pilot died when the plane crashed on the interstate off-ramp. No one the ground was reported hurt.

The state Fire Marshal’s office reports a man died in a house fire today in Pineville. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

Three tax preparers from Westwego face felony charges for allegedly defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson identifies the three people arrested, Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams, employees of Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish…:

CUT 12(11)      “…of the losses.”

All are charge with Injuring Public Records.

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 2

The NFL has taken away the Miami Dolphins first round pick this year after the league determined owner Stephen Ross and vice chairman Bruce Beal spoke with Sean Payton’s agent about becoming the Dolphins next head coach before Payton announced his retirement from coaching. The Dolphins also made impermissible communication with Tom Brady when he was the quarterback of the Patriots. Ross has been suspended and the organization fined one-point five million dollars.

The Saints had to replace their 2021 starting safeties in the offseason. Malcolm Jenkins retired and Marcus Williams signed with the Ravens. Linebacker Demario Davis likes the new additions…
Cut 17 (20) “…in the building”

Woodlawn of Baton Rouge Quarterback Rickie Collins decommitted from Purdue last night and there’s speculation Collins could join LSU’s 2023 recruting class. 24-7 sports ranks Collins as the 13th best quarterback in the nation and 12th best recruit in Louisiana. The Tigers do not have a quarterback in their 2023 recruiting class.

U-L Lafayette athletics director Doctor Bryan Maggard has received a one-year contract extension which means Maggard is now under contract through June 2027. Maggard was hired in 2017 and last season the Cajuns won a Sun Belt title in football, baseball and softball, plus raised more than 30-million dollars, the school’s most successful year in fundraising.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved the contract for new men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon. McMahon’s seven year deal is worth about 20-million dollars and his average yearly salary is close to three million dollars. He reportedly made 500-thousand dollars per year at Murray State.

3:30 LRN Newscast August 2

Three tax preparers from Westwego are arrested on felony charges of defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams all work for Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish. Department of Revenue spokesman Byron Henderson says investigators learned they charged clients as much as $110, and inflated the value of losses when submitting for a refund on sales tax they paid on items lost during a declared disaster…:

CUT 13(04)      “…their client.”

All three are charged with Injuring Public Records.

Louisiana is receiving $134-million in federal funds to offset the effects of climate change and reduce chronic flooding. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says money will be spread out over the next five years, so the state is expected to receive 25 million dollars this fiscal year…:

CUT 04(05)      “…road elevations.”

Wilson says the money can also be used to update pumping capacity.

 

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants the state to set aside a pot of money to lure new insurance companies to Louisiana, just as it successfully did after the 2006 impact of Katrina and Rita. Since Ida last year and the storms of 2020, a number of insurers have left the state; leaving nearly 90-thousand homes and businesses scrambling for coverage with just weeks until the height of storm season. Donelon says he’ll ask the Governor and House & Senate leaders for the money, which could come from the huge sums of federal money flowing in for storm recovery and the pandemic…:

CUT 08(09)      “…to come write.”

State Police report a small plane crashed today ON an I-49 off-ramp near Cheneyville. The plane was dusting crops nearby and only the pilot was aboard. At this time, LSP has not released the pilot’s condition or what caused the plane to go down. The FAA will presumably take over the investigation.

LDH reports another 1500 new cases of COVID, with 686 currently hospitalized with symptoms. They also report 20 new COVID-related deaths.

 

2:30 LRN Newscast August 2

The Shreveport mayoral race this fall gets interesting, as incumbent Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running. A Caddo Parish judge ruled Perkins used an incorrect home address on qualifying paperwork, which violates state election law. Perkins says it was an error, because he was distracted by reporters and cameras at qualifying. He is expected to appeal the decision; all the way to the state Supreme Court if needs be.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants the state to set aside a pot of money to lure new insurance companies to Louisiana, as it did when companies abandoned the market after the 2006 double wallop from Katrina and Rita. Donelon says that program successfully employed a fund of over $29-million state dollars, and brought new property insurers to help reduce the Louisiana Citizens book of business…:

CUT 07(11)      “…Go-Zone parishes.”

About 90-thousand homes and businesses are currently in insurance limbo, with the height of storm season just weeks away.

 

Three tax preparers from Westwego face felony charges for allegedly defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson identifies the three people arrested, Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams, employees of Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish…:

CUT 12(11)      “…value of the losses.”

All three are charged with Injuring Public Records.

The next time you’re in the Dome watching the Saints, thanks to a new partnership with Waitr (soon to be known as ASAP) you won’t have to stand in line to order concessions. Dean Turcol with ASAP says you can use your handy app to order food and then get a notice when to pick it up…:

CUT 09(10)      “…the Saints.”

Waitr was founded in 2013 and is currently based in Lafayette.

1:30 LRN Newscast August 2

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon will ask state leaders to set aside a big pot of money to lure new insurance companies to the state. Donelon says his agency did the same after Hurricanes Katrina & Rita overwhelmed insurers with over 700-thousand claims. That resulted in companies leaving the state and forcing thousands to the state’s bulwark insurer, Louisiana Citizens. He says an incentive program back then successfully brought a number of new companies to take on Louisiana coverage…:

CUT 06  (07)        “…a global marketplace.”

He hopes to meet with the Governor and legislative leaders soon to officially make the request.

The incumbent Mayor of Shreveport, Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from the race.  This comes after a Caddo resident called to attention that Perkins allegedly used false address information. And a judge agreed. Perkins says he was distracted by TV cameras at qualifying.

 

Louisiana is receiving federal help to fight flooding caused by climate change, and it’s FIVE TIMES the amount the state is currently spending per year. More from Marsanne Golsby…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Golsby.”

An Ascension Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been picked to sing the National Anthem for the New Orleans Saints’ home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s 1st Lieutenant Mike Brooks, and he’ll take the mic to open the game on October 16th, in the Caesar’s Superdome.

12:30 LRN Newscast Aug 2

Louisiana is receiving 134 million dollars in federal money to offset the effects of climate change and reduce chronic flooding. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says projects that will receive this funding are currently being identified…

Cut 3 (07) “…harden infrastructure.” 

Wilson says the 134 million dollars will be spread out over the next five years

Adopted persons who are 24 years of age or older can obtain a copy of their original birth certificate as a result of a new law that went into effect yesterday. Elise Lewis is a co-founder of Louisiana Coalition for Adoption and says they’ve lobbied for years at the state legislature for this law and she credits the bill’s author Rosepine Representative Chuck Owens who shared his personal story of adoption…
cut 11 (11) “….from their families”
A birth certificate can be requested through the Louisiana Department of Health’s vital statistics website.

A new law that took effect Monday paves the way for Louisiana’s growing wind energy industry. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

 

11:30 LRN Newscast Aug 1

Adoptees who are 24 and older can now request a copy of their original birth certificate thanks to a state law that went into effect Monday. Elise Lewis, co-founder of the Louisiana Coalition for Adoption Reform says they’ve received positive feedback from adoptees…

Cut 10 (12) “…to know.”
Lewis credits Rosepine Representative Chuck Owens for sharing his personal story of adoption for the bill finally becoming law.

We are moving closer to primetime when it comes to the hurricane season. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says use the time now to take photos or a shoot video of the contents of your home…

Cut 14 (13)  “…your claim processed.”
As of today the tropics are quiet.

A another that took effect Monday helps pave the way for Louisiana’s developing wind energy industry. Authored in the legislature by Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue (zer-ANG), the new law increases a previously set limit of just 5000 acres for the development of wind farms to 25-thousand acres.

Cut 4 (11)  “…particular wind farm.”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is embarking on two studies that will look at female athletes’ mental and physical resilience. Pennington’s Director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory Doctor Tiffany Stewart says one project will recruit 500 female athletes nationwide to assess overall mental health and resilience while a second study will focus on 50 female athletes at LSU…

Cut 8 (12)  “…with that”